I’m one of the last people left in my tower block – they want to demolish my home but I’m too old to find a new one
A PENSIONER is one of the last people living in a run-down tower block which is up for demolition and she says she’s too old to find a new place.
Iris Ware, 93, moved into the Mitchell Court flats in Tonypandy, Glamorgan, Wales, in the 1960s.
She’s still living there but most people have already gone as the buildings are now described as “dilapidated” and almost “derelict” and are due to be knocked down, leaving Iris feeling isolated and alone.
Pictures show asbestos signs, scaffolding and boarded up windows.
Iris, who owns her own flat, needs to find a new place to live, but says she has been told by the housing association Trivallis that it was only handling its own tenants living there at the moment but it hopes to have everyone out by the end of August.
Trivallis said that it had been working closely with its tenants and leaseholders to ensure “appropriate care and support is provided as we try to prepare the building for demolition”.
In light of her age, Iris told Wales Online: “I can’t go out and look for myself.”
According to Iris, Trivallis had categorised the properties at the court into bands, with those in band A being the highest priority need for new housing.
Her flat was initially listed as band D, but later changed to C, meaning she was a lower priority.
Iris said Trivallis had found her accommodation in a new block of flats in the town centre but these won’t be ready until January and she is concerned they will go back on their word and she could then face having to move twice.
Due to there only being five flats still occupied at Mitchell Court, Iris claimed it felt like she was living in the block alone which made her feel “sort of isolated”.
She said: “They want to buy my house. Fair enough, providing they find me somewhere to live. I can’t put myself out on the road at 93.
Iris said that other towns and villages in the area had been considered but she needs to be near her daughter because she looks after her.
She claimed she had applied and tried for numerous properties near her daughter but said she had been told these had already been allocated.
Her daughter had also looked for properties via estate agents but the search was complicated due to Iris needing things like walk-in baths and stairlifts.
Referring to the state of the flats, Iris said: “I’ve never seen it like this”, adding, “it’s really bad here… I’m really fed up.”
Vic Cox, director of development and planned maintenance at Trivallis said: “We have worked closely with Trivallis tenants and leaseholders at Mitchell Court to ensure appropriate care and support is provided as we try to prepare the building for demolition.
“This process will only begin once the building is empty, and all tenants and leaseholders are relocated.
“We have engaged with all leaseholders to ensure they are content with the prices offered for their properties and that they are supported throughout the process.”
He added: “Recognising the individual circumstances of the remaining leaseholders, we have tailored our support to their specific needs, with our neighbourhood managers and tenant liaison officers visiting on a weekly basis.
“The decision to demolish the site was made after carefully considering the feedback from the occupiers.
“They, along with Trivallis, recognised that the building was in poor condition, and it was essential to find more suitable and improved accommodation for everyone.
“Our teams have been working tirelessly to complete the process and make the transition as smooth and compassionate as possible.
“We apologise to Iris for the continued frustration this is causing and will continue to work with her and her family to find the best solution.”
Last month, residents living on an estate described as the ugliest in the UK say the council want to demolish it but they love it there.
In the same month, residents have slammed a housing association who say their homes have been left looking like a “bomb site” for months.
Elsewhere, locals could be forced to leave because the housing association wants to demolish them but the residents don’t want to leave.